Education Sunday 2015 - hymns to explore
Kingswood School in Bath - founded in 1748 by John Wesley
Education Sunday 2015 drew on ideas rooted in the Feast of Candlemas, which marks the presentation of Jesus for baptism at the Temple in Jerusalem. The resource writers suggested that education is about “discerning the potential in people and helping them to realize that potential”.
As well as hymns suggested in our Marking Candlemas resource, you may wish to explore the Growth in Grace and Holiness section of Singing the Faith:
Leith Fisher’s hymn Says Jesus, ‘Come and gather round’ (StF 510) follows the example of Jesus (e.g. Mark 10: 13-16) by turning the tables and reminding us what we all have to learn from the lives and questions of younger children as they grow and seek their full potential. “When was it that we first forgot that questions helped us grow?” he asks. His response (v.3):
Christ points to gifts that children bring,
the searching heart and lively mind
which let God’s kingdom grow in those
who seek until they find.
Also in this section, see:
All I once held dear, built my life upon (StF 489)
Help us, O Lord, to learn the truths your word imparts (StF 501)
May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day (StF 504)
Other hymns suitable for Education Sunday
The prophets’ voice comes down the years to teach and to inspire (StF 162) echoes the teacher’s call to
translate the things gone by
in ways that we find new
so we can judge the world we know
by standards ever true.
That call is supported by Martin Leckebusch’s reminder that we can use our gifts in many ways, whether “in government or commerce, college, hospice, farm or home” (Called by Christ to be disciples, StF 660). Similarly, see Lord, you call us to your service (StF 664) by Marjorie Dobson.
God's Spirit is often associated with the gift of wisdom in the Bible © 2014 Photos.com, a division of Getty Images
Finally, John Bell and Graham Maule hint at the biblical connections between the Holy Spirit and the gift of wisdom, in a hymn that also delights in the female imagery often associated with God’s Spirit. She sits like a bird, brooding on the waters (StF 393) weaves together language entirely appropriate to our thinking about teaching and teachers: “she weans and inspires all whose hearts are open” (v.3) and “she nests in the womb, welcoming each widener, nourishing potential hidden to our eyes” (v.2).